Real estate tycoon, entrepreneur, art patron and philanthropist Adrian Cheng is executive vice chairman and CEO of property developer New World Development and executive director of jeweller Chow Tai Fook, both founded by his grandfather Cheng Yu-tung. In 2009, Adrian Cheng launched the K11 brand, a globally known pioneer for its cultural commerce concept, injecting art and cultural happenings into a growing ecosystem of retail, commerce, property, recreation and hospitality in Hong Kong and mainland China. He also oversaw the US$2.6-billion Victoria Dockside redevelopment of Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, with the dramatic K11 Musea at its heart, transforming it into a global cultural district designed to incubate the next generation talents in art, design, architecture, nature and commerce.

At his instigation, his companies have also been extensively involved in creating social impact, launching the WEMP Foundation, the city’s first NGO dedicated to early childhood mental health, as well as running anti-pandemic charitable initiatives. New World has also donated 3 million square feet of land to help ease Hong Kong’s social housing shortage.

A keen collector of contemporary art, Cheng is also an influential arts patron through his K11 Art Foundation, which has backed a series of innovative exhibitions, and has recently launched the K11 Craft & Guild Foundation, which works to conserve Chinese craftsmanship.

Cheng has expanded New World’s presence into the digital sphere by investing in Hex Trust and Sandbox. In 2022 he announced the opening of the massive cultural-retail complex K11 ECOAST in Shenzhen, and entertainment and dining hub 11 SKIES in Hong Kong.

Cheng has been appointed as an advisor and a cultural consul to the Hong Kong government, overseeing a committee that will transform Hong Kong into a mega arts and cultural hub. He is also co-chairman of media company Meta Media in China.

The son of Henry Cheng, Adrian is married to Jennifer Yu Cheng.